Lock-controlling mechanism for sectional boxes



Dec., 2, w24. 1,517,270

H. WILHELM LOCK CQNTROLLING MECHANISM FOR SECTIONAL BOXES Filed Feb. 28, ,1924 2 Sheets-Sheet l NVENTOR Wwf BY ATTORNEW H. WILHELM LOCK CONTROLLING MECHANISM FOR SECTIONAL BOXES Filed Feb. 28 1924 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 -lM/ENTOR MWM@ BY ATTORNEY TooZZ whom t may concern.'

HENRY WILHLM, or BROOKLYN, New Yoan.

LooN-coNTnoLrliNeiuncnaivisiu noia sEc'rioNar. Bonne.

Ap'piieation niedreeruary as, i924.' serial No. cansan.'

Be it known that I, HENRY WILHELM, a citizen of the United States, residin at Brooklyn, in the county of `Kings andk tate of New York, have invented certain new'and useful .Improvements inv Lock-Controlling VMechanism for "Sectional Boxes, of which the following is a specification'. rlhisl invention relates to lock controlling or operating mechanism for sectional boxes or compartments, anobject of the invention being to provide improved locking mechanism whereby a plurality of boxes orcompartments may be 'individually locked or i` y "locked or unlocked, and to provide a locking mechanism of this character simple in unlocked'and also may be `simultaneously construction, and4 comparatively inexpensive to manufacture, and efficient' in use, and

`in which by means of amaster' lockall of the `doors vmay be simultaneously locked or unlocked while eachl ofthe doors can' be independently locked-or unlocked. l

rllhe invention' is usefulin manyA fields las in connection `with lockers or drawers or vletter boxes. In the present ninstance itis shown applied 'to a set of three boxes which `could be used as letter-boxes inthe hallof an apartment house. i l

t One of the objects of thisy invention is the provision of an vimpro-vedl lock controlling or operating mechanism which may be operated by a'master mechanism orA lock lto simultaneously lock or unlock all of the doors and which will permitthe use of an' ordinary locking ymechanism for each door which can be individually lmanipulated 'to either lock or unlock the door.

In the drawings accompanying and forming a part of this specification Fig. 1 is a front view partly in dotted linesl illustrating the present improvementapplied to a threeu section letter box; Fig. 2 is a sectional view `taken -on -line 2-2 Fig'. 1 looking inthe direction of the arrow; Fig. 3 is asectional` "plan view; Fig. t isfa .detail perspective I view of a part of the lock controlling mechfnism.

anism, Fign 'is an `enlargedv sectionaldef tail view of 'part of the lock controlling mechanism; and Figtiis also a detail view of a part of said ook controlling mecha- Similar characters.A of .reference indicate ,corresponding parts in 4the-'several views..` Before explaining in detail the present improvement and mode of operation thereof, it 1s desired to have it understood that the invention is not limited to the details of construction and arrangement of parts which are illustrated in the accompanyin drawings, since theinventionis capable o other embodiments, and that the phraseology which is employed is for the purpose of description and not of limitation. i

In the present instancey this improved lock controlling or operating meansis'applied to a three section compartment or box. which may be separatelyv constructed :and 'placed in position and `which boxes are designated herein as 1, and each is `provided with a hinged or swinging doorf2 having an ordi- 'nary spring lock 3 and leek `bolt 3,.

The doors are shown in the present instance as of less'. height than the height of the boxes covering something over one half of the height of the boxes. Each-of these `boxes can be individually opened by its particular key. c Located in one of the compartments isamaster lock 4, the 'bolt 5 of which -is lpivotally connected to a swinging or oscillator link tlpivoted centrally thereof within t e box as at 7 andthe lower end of which as at 8 is pivotally connected to an operating bar 9 which is properly connected to a plurality ,of crankl rods or rock shafts 10, one for each box. `Asthecrank or rock shaft mechanisms are similar a description of one willv besufhcient. vEach of these crankrods orA rock shafts` 10 is supported at itslower end by a suitable bearing 11 fastened in any suitable manner as by meansof bolts 12 to the bottom of the box, whereby l`the rock shafts are maintained in proper ,the boxis projected or stamped outwardly as 4at 17 to forma suitable crank nose receiving portion when the crank is rotated to unlock the door? and the enclosing-sleeve `14: is cut `away-adjacent to the crank nosing 15 ,topermit` the properrswinging of the nose 15, andthe cut away portion is bent into proper position as at -18 to form a stop to Alimit the throw of the crank nose 15. Thus the parts17 and 18 act as stops at the op-` posite sides of the crank nose 1`5to limit the movement' of the crank nose. The` crank rods being supported practically at the lower ends by bearings against longitudinal displacement may be properly termed ioating rods, 'andthe operating bar or rod `9 is like- Wise a loatingxbar, Ait being supported at -intervals by an ularv portions 20f-formed from abarf21f'w ich may be a part of the `proper' positions all of the doors are locked .bearingv supporting means 11 if desired.

The@ sleevesll are. suitably fastened as by means ofv rivets to the-sides of theboxes and may r'be if desired extended through the f bottom to keepl out the dust and dirt.

Thus from the foregoing-it will be seen that when the crank nosings are in their but each lock may be individually manipi Vwill be seen that in the present yimprove- Vment whenv the master -means or lock is operated the crank nosings are-shifted away from or toward the lock bolts 3 but when each individual lock is o erated the lock bolt thereof--is itselfshifted away from f its crank nosing.

Y -W hen ordinary spring locks having bev.. eled-rlatches are used lif the' master mechanism is operated to relock the doors and any of them remain openthe` door can be shut and locked bymerely closing it lsincethe bevelededge of the latch inv striking the crank nosing would permit this. Of course if a Vdead lock is usedv this wouldnot be .y en

possible and it would be necessary to have the 4doors all closed before the master. lock i's-operated. vWhen the `*boxes are Yused as letter boxesthey are usually inserted in the space provided for that purpose'and then 'al suitable molding as 22l is located around the edges of the boxes furnishing 7 an ornamental finish therefor as well as a lmeans for concealing the'operatmg or conf' trollingmechanism of the locks. For this purpose lthe box is provided 'around' its edge with' a beading 23 back of which a suitable beadingk -24of the ,molding is located and Vof course the boxes arev suitably fastened against displacement or movement withinthe spaces provided therefor.

From `the foregoin it will be observed as a torsional move- 2 mentfwhich enables the crank rod to be forced against the stops .and thus vheld againstrattling, and thus if one or more of the rods should be a little out of true it will still permit all therods to be properly manipulated.' It will be observed that the lower crank 13 of each crank rod has a greater arc of movement ythan the upper crank so that a partial movement of the crank 13 will throw the nosing crank sufliciently to unlock its lock.

It will furthermore be observed that as the locking mechanism is ally within the door and overlapped as it were by the door there is no opportunity to insert a sharp instrument and shove back the latch as in an ordinary spring lock mechanism. In other words the crank nosing or keeper of thc lock andthe lock bolt are back of the door itselfas will be seen in Fig. 1.

From the foregoing it will be seen that bythe manipulation ofthe master lock thc severalrock shafts are simultaneously operatedto shift the crank nosings away from the lock bolts of the several locks, and a reversel movement will relock all the doors. When it is` desired to open any individual lock the lock bolt is withdrawn from the crank-nosing. Thus if the boxes are used as yletter boxes the postman by manipulating the master lock can unlock and` relock all of the doors at the same time after inserting the mail in the boxes, and the individual owner of each box can by the insertion of the proper key ,unlock his own box without unlocking any oftheothers, so -that the use of slots for the mail is done away with, these having been foundto be objectionable since they permit the removal of mail by improper person's. It will also be observed that when kthis improved mechanism is used in connection with letter boxes it is not necessary7 .that the whole front of'- the box be shifted orlowered in order to open all of the boxes. Therefore I have provided a very simple, efficient, and inexpensive locking device adapted for many use-s as well as for letter box purposes.

Itis to be understood that by describing in detail herein anyparticular form, structure, or arrangement, it is not intended to limit the invention beyond the terms of the several claims or the requirements of theprior art.

kHaving thus explained the nature of my said invention and described a way of constructing and usingthe same, although without attempting to set forth all of the forms in which it may be made, or all the modes of its use, I claim: i

1. The combination of a plurality of doors, a key o erated lock having a lock bolt, for each oor, and-.master controlling means for locking or unlocking all of the doors simultaneously and including a rock inuevo v doors, 'a key operated lock having a lock nosing crank."

7. The combination ofk afdoor, a key op`` bolt, for each door, and master controlling means for `lockingor unlocking all of the doors simultaneously and including a rock shaft `mechanism` for each lock having a crank formed nosing for eachlock bolt, the

crank formed nosing being shiftable@towardy or from the lock bolts to simnltaneously lock or unlock'the doors, and the lock bolts being shiftable away yfrom thecrank nosings wheneachis individually unlocked;

3. The combination of a door, a key operated lock having a lock bolt therefor, a rotatable shafthaving a nosing adapted to cooperate,v with said lock bolt,l and key operated means for rotating said' shaft to shift thenosing relatively to saidlock bolt.

4. The combination of adoor, a key opera-ted lock having a lock bolt therefor, a shaft having a crank adapted to form` a nosing for` the, lock bolt, and keyl-operated means connected to the'shaft' independently of said crankfor. operating said shaft to shiftthe crank toward' or from said lock bolt.

5. The combination offa door, a ke 'operated lock havingl a lock bolt there or,a rock shaft having4 a `air of cranks, one forming a nosing for t e lock bolt,y andoperating means connected with the other for rocking the shaft to'swingfthe nosing toward or from the lock bol 6. The combination of a door, a ke `operated l-ockhaving a lock bolt there or, a rock shaft having a pair vof cranks, one forming a nosing for the lock bolt, and operating means connected with the otherfor rocking the shaft 'to swing ,the nosing towardmfor from the lock bolt, said last crank havinga greater arc of movement than the erated lock having a lock bolt therefor, a lioating rock shaft havinga pair Vof cranks, one forming a nosing for thetlockbolt, and operating means connected with" the'other for rocking the shaft to swing Ithe nosing toward or.,from thelock boltiy5:3. The combination of'a door,"a'ke `op#` erated lock having a lock bolt there or, a floating rock shaft having a pair of cranks, one forming a nosing forthe lock bolt, and operating lmeans connected "with" the other for rockingythe shaftto swing'the nosing toward or from the lock bolt, said operating means comprising a floating bar and means for shifting it.

9; The combination of a door, a key op#y erated lockhaving aflock bolt therefor, a floatingrock shaftl having a pair. of cranks,

f one forming a nosingfor'the lock bolt, and operating means connected with the other forrocking the shaft toiswing the' nosing toward or from the lockbolt, saidoperating means comprising a bar, means for su porting it at intervals, and means for shi ting it. p y c v 10. The combination of a door, ake operated lock having a lock bolty there or, a floating rock shaft' havingl apair of cranks, one forming afnosing for the lock bolt, and operating 4means connected with the other for rocking the shaft to suwing the nosing toward'or from thev lockv bolt, said operat-A ing means comprising al bar, angular means for supporting it at intervals, and meansfor sliding' said bar.'v y

' 11.]'l`h combination `of a door, a keycperated lock having a `lock bolt' therefor, a rock shaft having aycrank* formed nosing for Jthe lock fbolt, means .for rocking said shaft `to swing .the nosing intol position to cooperate with the lock bolt, and means for limiting the movement Iofsaid rock shaft.`

'12. The combination of a door, a key operated lock having a 'lock bolt therefor, a rock shaft having af crankrformed nosing for the" lock bolt, key operated means for rocking said k shaft to swing the ynosing `into position to" cooperate with'the lock' bolt, and means 'forllimiting the movement of said rockshaft and :omprising stop means at opposite tsides ofthe nosing.

^l3. The'combination of a box, 'a door therefor,a lockhaving a lock bolt for the door, a rock shaft having a crank formed nosing for the 'lock bolt, and means for rockingsaid shaft to swing thenosing into position to cooperate with the lock bolt, said box` having `a part thereof recessed to permit the swinging of the nosingin'one directionv v f 14. The combinatin of abo'x, a door there-v for, ka-lock having a lock bolt for the door, a rock shaft having a crank formed nosing for the `lock bolt,` means for rocking said shaft to swing thenosing into position to cooperate with the lock bolt, said-box having a partthereof` recessed to limit the swinging movement of the nosing in one direction, and means secured to the box for limiting the swinging movement of the'nosing in the other direction..l

15. The combination of a box, a door therefor, a lock havingV alock bolt for the door, a rock shaft having a crank formed nosing for the lock bolt, and means for rocking said shaft to swing theV nosing into position to cooperate-with the lock bolt, said box" having a 'stampedout portion to receive thefcrank nosing.

16. The combination `of a box, a door therefor, a lock having a lock'bolt for the door, a rock, shaft .having a. crank formed nosing` for the'lock bolt, means'for rocking. saidshaft to swingthe nosing toward or from the lockbolt, said box having a stamped swinging v rection.A v 1 o out portion toreceive the crank nosing, and

means secured to the tbox' for limiting the v lmovement of the nosing inone dil?. The combination ofabox, a door therefor, a lock having a lock bolt for the door, a rock shaft having acrank formedy nosing for the lock bolt, means lfor rocking sai( `,'18..The combination ofa box, adoor therefor, a lock having a lock bolt forthe door, a rockfshafthaving a crank formed nosing for thelockbolt, means yfor rocking said shaftto swing the nosing toward or e from the lock,v bolt, said box having a stamped outfportion to receive the ycrank nosing, andwa sleeve enclosing said rock shaft-and having'fa lpart thereof cut out to permit swinging movement ofthe crank nosing, andto form a stoplfor limiting the movement thereof,lthe means ,for rocking said shaft-comprising an loperating, crank,

` and a. sliding barf connected therewith 'and means for operating said sliding bar.

` Y 19.)',The combination ofabox, aldoor y therefor, al lock having a lockbolt `forthe door, a rock shaft' having aicranklformed nosing for the lock bolt,`means for rocking e said shaft to ,swing the nosing toward or from the lock-bola said j, box having a stamped ont portion to receive'. the crank nosing, and ,a lsleeve encloslngiksaid rock shaft and-'having apart thereof cut out to y `-permit lswinging movement of thecrank nosing-and to-foi'm a stop for limiting the movement thereof, vthe means 'y for Y rocking said shaftcomprising an operating crank a sliding bar connected therewith and 1 ay master lockfor operating saidsliding'bar.

20.v The combination of-.a plurality vof doors, sleek having a, lock boa foreach with 'the 4master controlling means..

door, and master controlling meansfjor locking 'or unlockingfall of vthe .doors simultaneously and if includinga rock `shaft mechanism for eachllock having a crank formed nosing for eachlock bolt, and also havin lan operating crank having a greater arc o movement lthan' the nosing crank,

and a sliding r,bar .connected therewithy and 121..Thecombinationjof a pluralityy of doors, alock-v having -a lock; bolt 'for each door, master controlling means for locking or unlocking all ofthe doors simultaneously and includingva rock :shaft mechanism for.v each lock having a crank formed nosingiforeach lock bolt, :and also having an operating vcrank vhaving' a greaterA arc of movement v than the nosinglcrankga sliding bar connected therewith and with' the master controlling means, and means for floatingly supporting the rock shafts.

22. The combination of a plurality of doors, a lock having a lock bolt for each door, master controlling means for locking or unlocking all of the doors simultaneouslyy and including a rock shaft mechanismv for each lock having aci-ank formed nosingfor each lock'bolt, and also having an operating crank having a greater arc of movement than the nosing crank, a sliding bar connected therewith and with the master controlling means, and means for oatingly supporting the sliding bar.

23. The combination of a plurality of doors, a lock having a lock bolt for each door, master controlling means for locking or unlocking all of the doors simultaneously and including a rock shaft mechanism for each 1lock having a crank formed nosing for each-,lock bolt, and also having an operating .crank havinga greater arc of movementthan the nosing crank, a sliding bar connected v'therewith and with the master controllingmeans, and means for floatingly supporting the rock shafts and the operating bar.

24. The combination of a plurality of doors, a lock havin a lock bolt foreach door, mastercontrol in means for locking or unlocking all of the y oors simultaneously and including a rock shaft mechanism for each lock having a crank formed nosing for each lock bolt, and means for limiting the throw of the rock shaft. v

25. The combination of a plurality of doors, a lock havin a lock bolt for each door, master contro in e means for locking or unlocking all of the oors simultaneously and. including'a rock'shaft mechanism for each, lock having a crank formed nosing for each lock bolt, and means for limiting the throw of the rock shaft and comprising stop means at opposite sides thereo 26. The comblnation of a plurality of boxes, doors; therefor, a lock having'a lock bolt for each door, a rock shaft mechanism for each lockhaving a crank formednosing for each lock bolt, each box having` a stamped out portion for the reception of the nosing and for limiting the swin in movement thereof in one direction, an a so having means -for limiting theswinging movement thereof in the opposite direction, and master controlling means-for locking or unlocking all of the doors simultaneously and includmga sliding bar connected with all ofthe rock shafts'. e

27. The combination of a plurality of boxes having doors, a lock havin a lock bolt e for each door, and master contro 'mg means for locking vor unlockin all the doors simultaneouslyj and inclu ing a rock shaft mechanism for each lock having a crank 'amiamo ing means for concealing a part of the operating mechanism.

29. The combination of a door, akey op'- erated lockhaving a sliding lock bolt therefor, a rock shaft having a crank formed nosjfing for the lock bolt, means for rocking 1 said shaft to swing theell nosing towardor from the lock bolt, said lock bolt being independently shftable 'toward or from the nosing.

` 30. The combinationI .of` a" plurality ofdoors, a lock having a lock bolt for each door, a rock shaft having a crank formed nosing for each lock bolt, meansforrocking all of saidl shafts simultaneously to swing the nosings' toward or-from the lock bolts, each of said lock bolts being independ-` ently shiftable toward or from its nosing. 31. The combination of 'a plurality of doors, aI lock havingl a lock/'bolt for each door, a rock shaft having a crank formed nosing for each lock bolt, and master lock means for simultaneously rocking all 'of said shafts to swing the nosin s toward or from the lock bolts, each of said lock bolts being independently shiftable toward or from its nosing. 32. The combination of a plurality of doors, a lock having a lock bolt for each 40 door, a rock shaft having a crank formedl nosing for each lock bolt, and master lock means for simultaneously rocking all of said shafts to swingvthe nosings toward or from the lock boltsand including an operatin crank carried by each of the rock shafts, an

a sliding bar connecting all of said operating cranks, with the master lock means.

33. The combinationl of a plurality of doors, av lockhaving a lock bolt for each 50 door,- a rock shaft havinga crank formedl nosing for each lock bolt, and master lock means for simultaneously rocking all of said shafts to swing the nosin s toward or from the" lock bolts and including an operating crank carried by each of the rock shafts, a sliding bar connectin all of said operating cranks, and a pivote lever connecting said sliding bar with the master lock means.

Signed at Brooklyn, New York, this 26th 60 day of February, 1924. A l'l 

